Fantasy Football: Week 14 RB rankings

Tough matchup for Chiefs' Ware, but owners can take solace in his initial usage after Hunt's release

By ARTHUR ARKUSH

Dec. 6, 2018

In his first game as the Chiefs' feature back in nearly two years, Spencer Ware played 71 percent of the total snaps on offense in Kansas City's surprisingly narrow 40-33 road victory over the Oakland Raiders. Ware parlayed his 49 reps into 15 touches, 52 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, good for RB18 overall.

We've actually bumped Ware up one spot to RB17 overall this week, when the Chiefs welcome a stout Ravens 'D' whose 1,086 yards from scrimmage allowed to enemy backs are the fewest in the league. Keeping Ware's floor somewhat high despite the tough draw is the fact that he ran clearly ahead of Damien Williams in the first game without Kareem Hunt — which, again, morphed into a shootout — and handled all three of the Chiefs' red-zone rushing attempts by a back.

With another potential shootout on the horizon Sunday (51 ½ point total), it's reassuring to see that the Chiefs are sliding Ware essentially into Hunt's three-down role. And although sentiment doesn't belong in fantasy football decision making, we'll also add that it's nice having someone as easy to root for in Ware in the wake of Hunt's dismissal. Lest we forget, Hunt's star turn only occurred after Ware's preseason ACL tear halted his own ascent as Jamaal Charles' potential successor.

Ware's remaining fantasy schedule isn't ideal, but it's not unmanageable, either, with the Chargers and Seahawks on deck in Weeks 15 and 16. Treat him as an RB2 this week but finishing the season as not only the Chiefs' but your fantasy team's RB1 seems quite possible.